Kennebunkport and Wells offer a variety of camping options within 10 miles of the coast. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures around 80°F during July and August, while spring and fall camping seasons bring cooler nights that often drop into the 40s. Mosquito activity peaks during June and early July, particularly in wooded areas and near marsh sites.
What to do
Kayaking from campgrounds: Some properties provide direct water access for paddling. At Bayley's Camping Resort, campers can launch directly from the property. "The kayak/paddle board, canoe launch is great because the river is impounded so you never have to worry about the tide going out while you are paddling," notes Nancy W.
Mountain biking near camps: Several trails connect to campgrounds in the region. "Sandy Pines is located a very short bike ride from Cape Porpoise," explains Chris. "For those so inclined, there is great mountain biking either through the Tyler Preserve down to Cape Porpoise or North through the Emmitt Smith Preserve."
Winter camping options: Unlike many seasonal properties, Sea Vu Campground remains open year-round. "We stayed here 3 nights. Wonderful showers and very accommodating staff. There is a fantastic Mexican restaurant we ate at twice, less than a mile away," reports April C.
What campers like
Clean, updated facilities: Many campgrounds invest in well-maintained bathhouses. "This campground is immaculate. Everyone we encountered from campers to staff were super friendly," reports Joe R. about Sandy Pines. Similarly, William C. praises Sea Vu's "newly rebuilt shower and laundry facilities" as "clean and spacious."
Adult-only camping areas: For campers seeking quieter settings, Wild Duck Adult Campground offers an age-restricted environment. "This adult only campground is peaceful and quiet, with the sounds of birds and the trees being the main thing you hear - it is quite relaxing," writes Heather C.
Wooded sites with privacy: Despite being full-service campgrounds, some properties maintain natural settings. At Hemlock Grove Campground, Coffee&Camping T. found a "cozy forested campground, felt private despite having neighbors," while kimberly R. appreciated that "sites are spacious, level, with gravel pads."
What you should know
Cash-only policies: Several campgrounds don't accept credit cards. At Red Apple Campground, Ronald C. discovered "first thing they only take cash," which required an unexpected payment adjustment upon arrival.
Seasonal differences: Off-peak camping offers different experiences. Nancy W. notes about Old Orchard Beach Campground: "We visited in the off-season but can only imagine the park gets pretty busy especially in the front section where the swimming pool, arcade, camp store, and other activities are located."
Variable site spacing: Site spacing varies significantly between and within campgrounds. At Wild Duck, Heather C. found "the sites that face the marsh are the best sites - they have some grass and lovely views," but generally "the sites are pretty close together and do not have great buffers."
Connectivity challenges: Cell reception and WiFi vary widely. Russ V. experienced "almost zero wifi signal as well as verizon cell signal" at Sun Outdoors Wells Beach, adding that management stated "they are aware and working on it. (For 2 years?)."
Tips for camping with families
Pet-friendly site selection: For pet owners camping near Kennebunk, Maine, site selection matters. At Bentley's Saloon and Campground, pets are welcome but the environment can be noisy. Hugh notes "bikers can be loud" which might stress some animals.
Tent-specific considerations: Not all campgrounds provide equal experiences for tent campers. Tim S. observed at Sandy Pines: "The most significant con was that this campground is truly only for RV camping. Us tent campers we on sites with zero trees... with zero trees for shade cover and zero trees for privacy."
Activity planning: Many campgrounds offer structured programming. At Bayley's Camping Resort, Christopher S. found "great place for the family kids and adults. There is a kids pool and a pool for the adults only w/bar. A pond for fishing, there are kayaks etc."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: RV sites often require adjustment. At Wild Duck, Heather C. found site 5 "had a slight bump in it which made hooking and unhooking our travel trailer a little difficult."
Site orientation variations: Traditional back-in sites aren't universal. Arno W. describes Sun Outdoors Wells Beach layout as "quite unusual, with campers parked lengthwise along the road. This means that you share the space where you sit outside with the camper behind you, resulting in very little privacy."
Big rig accessibility: Larger RVs face limitations at some properties. Steve K. notes that Sandy Pines only has "a few transient sites that can handle a camper over 30ft."
Scout
